 Most viewed - Robert Walker Irwin Hawaiian Minister's Ikaho Villa ロバート W. アルウイン別邸 (ハワイ王国公使別邸) |
The following photos (watermarked "2008") of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence were taken before it was moved to its present location.541 views
|
|
Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho, next to the Stone Steps. He was the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century. He coordinated the immigration of Japanese to Hawaii. ロバート W. アルウイン別邸289 views
|
|
Main room of the Irwin summer house. When these photos were taken, the house served as a museum. However, in April 2014, a new Guidance Museum next to the relocated house opened to display these artifacts. The house has no exhibits now.221 views
|
|
Iki and Robert Walker Irwin at the Imperial Palace for the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution in Feb. 1889. ロバート W. アルウインと妻のイキ213 views
|
|
Letter from Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro proclaiming sister-city relations with Ikaho (before it merged with Shibukawa).205 views
|
|
This modest building is only part of a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Note that this residence has moved slightly up the Stone Steps in fall 2013.201 views
|
|
Sister-city exhibit for the County of Hawaii (Big Island).199 views
|
|
Family of Robert Walker Irwin. Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.191 views
|
|
Ikaho's sister-city exhibit in Machi-no-Eki building (ropeway terminal).186 views
|
|
Bella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.182 viewsshe
|
|
Robert Walker Irwin and oldest daughter Bella. Portrait taken when they visited the US.172 views
|
|
Upper left is a letter from Yukiko Irwin, Bella's niece. Upper right are hymns used by Bella's Sunday School. Photo below shows Yukiko Irwin (daughter of Robert Irwin's 2nd son Richard) visiting Ikaho in 1979, meeting with a cultural property144 views
|
|
A young Robert Walker Irwin.142 views
|
|
In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ王国公使別邸139 views
|
|
In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ公使別邸135 views
|
|
This modest building is only part of what was a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Open to the public, free admission.135 views
|
|
Letters to Bella from her Sunday School students. Lower right is a chronology of Bella's life published by her school. Her name "Irwin" is rendered in kanji characters pronounced "Ari-in." 有院132 views
|
|
|
Panel explaining Bella Irwin's Christian Sunday School.126 views
|
|
Photo of of four of Irwin's children in Ikaho. The building on the right is apparently the building that remains today.120 views
|
|
First floor of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho. When the house was moved, it was disassembled and repaired before reassembly.120 views
|
|
Robert Walker Irwin in his later years. ロバート W. アルウイン. Read more about him here.119 viewsA young Robert Walker Irwin ロバート W. アルウイン
|
|
Upper left is a New Year's postcard to Robert. Lower left is a funeral notice for Iki. Upper right is a family portrait.115 views
|
|
On the left is a winter coat worn by wife Iki. A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence also displayed.114 views
|
|
After Irwin died, the house was sold to Kodansha, a publishing company, and used for employee training. Eventually, the house was acquired by Gunma Prefecture and later by Ikaho/Shibukawa.114 views
|
|
Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.112 views
|
|
Portrait of Robert Walker Irwin and with his Japanese wife Takechi Iki who was from a samurai family.109 views
|
|
Rear view of Irwin's summer residence. This building has moved to a new location up the Stone Steps and these photos show it at the previous location at the foot of the Stone Steps.107 views
|
|
On the top right is a letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi (next image). The lower right are rocks from Kilauea volcano, and the left are souvenir ribbons marking the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigration in 1868.106 views
|
|
Ink stone and brushes used by wife Iki.106 views
|
|
Upper left is a photo of the Hawaiian Minister's residence in Tokyo. Lower left is a pamphlet of the Mitsui Club at the minister's residence. Upper right is a portrait of Irwin and Bella in the US.106 views
|
|
Foyer of the Irwin summer house. A US flag, but no Hawaiian flag...105 views
|
|
At center top and bottom are copies of Irwin's marriage applications. Bottom left is a news clipping announcing Irwin's marriage to Iki. Top right is a photo of the Irwins in Ikaho.105 views
|
|
Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.105 views
|
|
Robert Walker Irwin's summer villa was moved to its present and original location in fall 2013. Map here.104 views
|
|
Veranda with a life-size Irwin cut-out.102 views
|
|
Upper left is a Japanese letter from Bella Irwin written in roman letters. Upper right is an obituary for Robert Irwin in a Philadelphia newspaper. On the bottom left are condolence telegrams from Ikaho to Bella. Bottom right is get-well letter to Robert.102 views
|
|
The next display case includes this panel explaining Irwin's activities as Hawaiian Minister to Japan.101 views
|
|
Top left is a photo of four of Irwin's children in Ikaho. Top right is a photo of Irwin and his children in Ikaho. Bottom left is a postcard addressed to Irwin in Ikaho. Bottom right are Ikaho postcards bought by Irwin.101 views
|
|
This inn called Kanzanso has been torn down to make way for the relocated Irwin house.100 views
|
|
Kanzanso, an inn fronting the bottom of the Stone Steps and where Irwin's summer estate was located. (No longer in existence.)100 views
|
|
The first display case on the right shows a chronology of Irwin's life and portraits of him and his wife Takechi Iki.99 views
|
|
On the left are table cloths bearing Irwin's family crest. In the middle is Irwin's binoculars, cross, and watch. On the right are cuff links and cups with the Hawaiian flag.99 views
|
|
1902 map close-up showing the location of Irwin's summer home (red circle) in Ikaho. It was right in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps.98 views
|
|
Copy of a Japanese immigrant's labor contract dated Jan. 11, 1900. (Not for Kanyaku Imin.)98 views
|
|
Veranda95 views
|
|
About the "Minister's Villa of the Former Kingdom of Hawaii" ハワイ王国公使別邸 (英語がちょっと変)95 views地元の子供達の英語教育を担当している教育委員会の英文は特にしっかりしたものにして欲しいですね。こんな英語で手本にもならないし、英語の勉強にもならない。読む外国人さんも笑わせる。
|
|
Panel showing Irwin's paternal family tree.94 views
|
|
The display case includes photos of the Irwin family in Ikaho.93 views
|
|
The display case shows an old map of Ikaho Spa on the upper left.93 views
|
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.91 views
|
|
Panel explaining the Japanese immigration to Hawai'i.91 views
|
|
Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.90 views
|
|
Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, including a booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island. Koa calabash on the right from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 198990 views
|
|
The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882. On the right is a souvenir from Ikaho that Iki bought.88 views
|
|
If the house is boarded up like this, it's probably closed. The Irwin house is closed on Tuesdays.86 viewsGetting here: From the Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at JR Shinjuku Station (near South Exit) in Tokyo, there are JR buses to Ikaho, taking 2.5 hours. Get off at the Ikaho Ishidangai stop (伊香保石段街) at the bottom of the Stone Steps. Day trippers can store luggage in the nearby lockers. Irwin's villa is a short distance up the Stone Steps on the right side.
|
|
Sake cups with the Hawaiian flag. Gold color substituted for blue.84 views
|
|
|
82 views
|
|
Main exhibits on the left. No English as of July 2016.82 views
|
|
Items related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.81 views
|
|
Left panel is about the Irwin family in Ikaho. Right panel is about Sophia "Bella" Arabella, Robert Irwin's eldest child.81 viewsBella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.
|
|
Irwin family portrait and a travel permit that was required for foreigners to travel within Japan.81 views
|
|
View of garden from second floor.80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
Irwin house Guidance Facility, a small museum showing Irwin artifacts.80 views
|
|
Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.80 views
|
|
Booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island.80 views
|
|
Letter of condolence from Bella Irwin to the Chigira family written in romanized Japanese. The Chigira family operated an inn near the Irwin summer villa.80 views
|
|
The Irwin house and museum are open 9 am to 4:30 pm (enter by 4:15 pm). Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 28–Jan. 4.79 views
|
|
Map of the Irwin Park.79 views
|
|
They don't allow photography inside the museum.79 views
|
|
79 views
|
|
Tree dedicated to Dottie Thompson.79 views
|
|
Second floor has tatami mats. The second floor is open to the public only on weekends and during the hula festival in summer.78 views
|
|
The Irwin house is on the left, and a small museum called the Guidance Facility is on the right.78 views
|
|
The Irwin Guidance Facility has exhibits about Robert Walker Irwin, his Hawaii connection, and his life in Ikaho. A short video introduces him here.78 views
|
|
Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.78 views
|
|
Newspaper article about King Kalakaua's visit to Japan.78 views
|
|
Panel about Robert and wife Takechi Iki.78 views
|
|
Certificate for the 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (勲二等旭日重光章) Irwin received on Oct. 4, 1886. But the museum does not have the medal.78 views
|
|
After Irwin bought the house, he fixed it up by reinforcing the walls against earthquakes with diagonal beams.77 views
|
|
Irwin carried these binoculars on walks and also always carried this cross and watch.77 views
|
|
Wife Iki's winter coat.77 views
|
|
Behind the museum is a little plaza and the Stone Steps. The plaza has trees.77 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
Koa calabash bowl from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989.76 views
|
|
Top panel about Robert Walker Irwin. Bottom panel about Irwin and wife Iki.76 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho.76 views
|
|
Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.76 views
|
|
Near the Irwin villa is a replica of a stone monument at Irwin's gravesite at Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. Inscribed with a short biography of Robert Walker Irwin.76 views
|
|
About Irwin76 views
|
|
Steps to the garden below.76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
This first floor originally had tatami mats. You still need to take off your shoes to enter.75 views
|
|
Robert Irwin spent his summers in Ikaho from when he bought the villa in 1891 until 1925 when he died. It was an inn when he bought it.75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
Guidance Facility75 views
|
|
Obituary for Robert Walker Irwin in a Philadelphia Monday Morning newspaper in 1925.75 views
|
|
Top panel shows the floor layout of Irwin's original Ikaho summer home. Bottom panel shows pictures of the present house being disassembled 75 views
|
|
Second floor 74 views
|
|
Wife Iki's belongings. Lower left is Iki's small dagger in a red case. Iki was from a samurai family.74 views
|
|
A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence.74 views
|
|
Cupboard was a gift from the Chigira family to the Irwins.74 views
|
|
Chronology of Robert Walker Irwin's life See it in English here.74 views
|
|
Floor plan shows the original summer villa in Ikaho. The red portion is the part that remains today. The rest of the building was torn down due to age.74 views
|
|
Letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi thanking Ikaho for preserving Irwin's summer home.74 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
Letter from mother Iki to daughter Bella in 1909 about the Sunday School.73 views
|
|
Irwin's furniture.73 views
|
|
Behind the museum, this tree is dedicated to Dottie Thompson, founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii (Ikaho's sister city).73 views
|
|
Irwin's decorative saber.71 views
|
|
The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882.71 views
|
|
Irwin's summer villa apparently included a garden like this.71 views
|
|
Wife Iki's belongings. Iki wrote a poem on the upper left fan. Lower right are a few tourist souvenirs (Postcards and hand towel) Iki bought.70 views
|
|
|
|
|
